title: Transorbital penetrating brain injury by branchlet: a rare case.
abstract: Penetrating injury of the brain and skull is uncommon, representing about 0.4% of head injuries. With advances in radiological techniques such as high-resolution and reconstruction computed tomography (CT), assessment of injuries is more accurate and easier. In this article, we report the case of a 46-year-old man presenting with head injury after a branchlet had penetrated through the right orbit into the brain. CT scan of the brain revealed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and mild obstructive hydrocephalus. CT scan of the brain with reconstruction revealed that the branchlet tip penetrated through the medial aspect of the right orbit to the parasellar region. CT scan of the brain with contrast showed gradual tapering of the right proximal internal carotid artery with total occlusion after the carotid bulb. Advance radiological examinations, such as three-dimensional CT, are required to obtain the correct emergent diagnosis and treatment of such injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei-Hsiu
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yung-Hsiao
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Cheng-Ta
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Jui-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Chung-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsia
mesh_terms: D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000293:injuries*